<<assuming we both agree that we live in a very diverse society here, one which won't unify behind any one banner of faith or moral value. It's an interesting problem - and I invite you to tell me your thoughts.>>
I could author you a manifesto. I wouldn't doubt that you could prepare one for me of equal or greater merit. We could throw stones at one anothers banner, till only one remains. I know the purpose of life. I know others who do. I also know people who don't want to think or talk about it. There are six billion+ people on the planet. With an anything goes and accommodate all attitude, it is pointless to discuss problem solving because one persons solution is another persons problem.
There are common sense rights and wrongs. You can go to a federal prison and ask the grandmother raping, mass murdering, thief if such behavior is bad. They will tell you, yes. If you ask the same person if it is nice and kind and good to give someone who is hungry food, they will look at you like your insulting them and say, yes.
Do we culturally impose this thinking on people or is it something that is innate. It doesn't matter that I think we are born with it, the fact is we have it. You can't hold it up and look at it. You can't touch it. But the evidence is there that all human beings possess it. Every once in a while a noted shrink comes up with the theory that there are exceptions. Just as many experts say that shrink is an exception and has been conned by the con.
The point is most, and I think all, of us can look inside and know, which things are good and which are bad and there seems to be common agreement. The world is complicated and can be confusing. But there is a foundational and common knowledge of what is good and "right" and what is bad and "wrong" in our human condition.
<<particularly among our teenagres?>>
For starters our education, as well as our common sense, tells us that teenagers need us. Psychologically they are going through a period of adjustment and haven't finalized the foundation of adult standards and values that they will live by. They need us, as pezz pointed out, to be totally honest with them. They need us engaged in struggles they are faced with, as participants who are deeply and personally vested in their future.
Of course that would involve personal involvement by responsible adults willing to take charge, identifying standards, using judgement, setting limits, and providing direction. All very uncool. |
